Ham radio field day this weekend

Erecting temporary radio stations in parks, campgrounds, schools and emergency centers nationwide and operating with emergency and alternate power sources. More than 35,000 amateur radio operators across the country participated in last years Field Day exercises.

Local ham operators will construct and operate at least five radio stations on all bands, including Morse code, at Burel Park. These local hams will make several hundred wireless radio contacts nationwide.

This will be a test of their capabilities to keep radio communications open during emergency-like conditions, without the use of phone systems, internet or other infrastructure that may become comprised in a crisis situation. During the past year the news has been full of reports of ham radio operators providing critical, life saving communications including the California wildfires, western and Midwestern storms, tornadoes and other events worldwide. FEMA, DHS, National Weather Service and emergency management offices have Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) operators in their emergency communications plans.

On June 26-27 the public is welcome and invited to come to Burel Park and take the opportunity to view the operations, meet and talk with local ham operators, one as young as 12 years old, and see for themselves what the Amateur Radio Service is all about.

The free event will close at noon on Sunday.